THE final sessions at Goresbridge rounded off last week’s sale on a strong note, as the demand for three- and four-year-olds held up well. While the prices steadied from the dizzy heights of the opening two days, buyers remained active both at ringside and online, contributing to increased clearances and averages across the board.

This in turn led to an impressive four-day turnover of €2,637,550, with both age groups significantly stepping up from 12 months ago. The four-year-olds closed with a 70% clearance (64% in 2025) together with an average of €6,797 (€6,717). The three-year-olds meanwhile also improved to show that 76% (63%) changed hands albeit at a more modest average of €3,512 (€3,874).

Reflecting on the final trade, Ed Donohoe commented: “Obviously delighted overall, but I’m particularly satisfied with the three-year-old clearance, even though the prices were low. It’s where I thought we might be in trouble, but importantly when vendors wanted to sell, buyers put their hands up.”

Sale topper

The well-related filly Its Another Question (Lot 453) by I Am W (by Luidam) was the star performer over the two days at €20,000. Looking well bought by online bidder Delyth Collins, Margaret Gallagher’s home-bred was consigned by the Monaghan-based professional team of Tom Hearne and Ryan O’Neill (TR Sporthorses).

Bred to perform, the filly is a half-sister to the Leah Stack-partnered international mare Next Question (1.40m) and is the third progeny out of the KWPN registered grand prix mare Any Questions (1.50m). Bidding was very competitive from the outset, but it was online buyer Collins who got the better of Ed Donohoe on the telephone.

“I have never bought at a sale before, so I have to thank the team at Goresbridge, who guided me patiently through the whole procedure,” said Collins. “Also to TR Sporthorses. This is the second horse I have bought off them, and my success with the first prompted me to go back again. I went to have a sit on the filly in the yard before the sale and, having loved her jump and type, I like her even more now that I have her home. She will spend the next six months in the field, then I hope to go jumping with her.”

CBI Air Cruz (Lot 539) realised €18,000 at Goresbridge \ Sally Parkyn

Notables

Staying with the professionals, last year’s sale-topping team of Higgins Sporthorses achieved again when their four-year-old gelding CBI Air Cruz (Lot 539) realised €18,000. After another spirited tussle between telephone and online bidders, the hammer finally fell in favour of the latter, who was later disclosed as UK buyer Gemma Stoate. Stable jockey Alice Martin-Jones was responsible for the production of this eye-catching grey who, she remarked afterwards, was ‘one of the nicest horses I have produced at Goresbridge’.

Bred by Raymond Carroll, the gelding was by Cavaldor Z out of Kingsaway Cruise (Cruising). “Alice has done a great job,” said Higgins. “I rode the sire in Lanaken, and it’s a pity he wasn’t around to cover a few more mares.”

British buyers were prominent throughout, and it was Shropshire producer Annie Dalton who signed for Declan McGarry’s Santana (Lot 430) by Panenka (by Comme Il Faut) at €17,000. Sourced in Europe as a foal and produced through training shows, he was recommended to Dalton by friend Paul Holohan. “I didn’t see him go, but I watched the videos of the livestream and liked what I saw,” she said.

Santana (Lot 430) by Panenka (by Comme Il Faut) was snapped up at €17,000 \ Sally Parkyn

The number of traditionally-bred stock seems to decrease annually, but in a boost for breeders, Ciara Murray’s son (Lot 580) of the thoroughbred Road To Happiness did well when changing hands for €13,000. Well ridden by South Armagh producer Gemma Murphy, the chesnut gelding was bred by Christopher Hanrahan out of the Carrabawn View-sired dam Kilmacduagh Kelly. Northumberland producer Mark Jackson signed for this gelding, acting on behalf of first-time visitor Abbie Curtis.

A sale-topping list would seem strange without the appearance of MBF Sporthorses, and it was MBF Nearly There (Lot 473), who just made the cut at €12,500. An American online buyer was the successful bidder for this smart sort, who was by Lagans OBOS Quality out of My Crusheen Princess (Colin Diamond).

Three-year-olds

Recording a welcome increase in clearance from 12 months ago, trade for the younger age group was solid. 76% changed hands, and, while the average of €3,511 was nothing to crow about, vendors were ready to sell and buyers were keen to buy. Although it was the performance stock who made the headlines, there was yet again a strong trade for hunter types, especially for those aiming for the performance Irish Draught classes. This is a welcome move and again a boost for traditional breeders.

Topping Friday’s figures at Goresbridge at €9,000 was Micheal Mannion’s unnamed filly (Lot 745) by the locally based Castlefield Kingston \ Sally Parkyn

Topping Friday’s figures at €9,000 was Micheal Mannion’s unnamed filly (Lot 745) by the locally-based Castlefield Kingston. A very flashy individual with a jump to match, she was secured by Arvoda Sporthorses and will head for a show jumping career. Speaking on behalf of Arvoda, Michael Donohoe commented: “She’s been bought for a partnership, which includes an Asian gentleman who was present at the sales earlier in the week. She will remain in Ireland to be produced by Dylan Savage.” As the vendor, Roscommon man Mannion was delighted. “I bought her as a foal,” he said of the filly, who is out of the jumping mare Gin and Tonic (Clarebawn Sunshine Diamond).

Two lots realised €8,200, the first of which was Patrick Doody’s Sunhill Kingston (Lot 653) by Castlefield Kingston. Yet another by this popular sire, the gelding was knocked down to Somerset event horse buyer Robin Dumas. Piltown vendor/breeder Doody has enjoyed numerous breeding success stories in this discipline and, this gelding, out of Coraslira Rose (Bahrain Cruise), is already a sibling to several good event horses. “We buy for our daughter Millie to produce,” explained Katie Dumas. “This one ticked all her boxes - colour, the right sire and temperament, good owner and good x-rays.”

Selling for the same amount later in the proceedings was Hazel Bye’s traditionally-bred Ridgehill Kilty (Lot 679) by the little used Kiltybane Naldo out of Kiltybane Dancer by Laurelview Dancer. Bred by Donna Rice and bought as a foal, this full Draught was snapped up by Irish Draught producer Diane Gibson. “I hope he will do both the heavyweights and the Irish Draught performance classes,” she said.

Another Irish Draught (Lot 698) also sold well at €7,600. A home-bred offered by Robert Grant, Rossoulty Grail was by Murrisk The Holy Grail out of Rossoulty Breeze (Caerba Legacy). Enniscorthy-based Joseph Swain accounted for this big gelding, whom he hopes will qualify for the RDS.